Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

[Overview] [Problem to be Solved] To provide an information processing apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium that each allow a user to recognize a border of a virtual space without breaking the world view of the virtual space. [Solution] An information processing apparatus including a control unit that tracks a motion of a user to present an image of a virtual space to the user, and performs distance control to increase a distance between a viewpoint of the user and a border region in the virtual space while an operation of the user coming closer toward the border region is being inputted. The border region is fixed at a specific position in the virtual space.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus,an information processing method, and a recording medium.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, there has been proposed VR (Virtual Reality) technologyfor presenting a video and sound of a virtual reality space to a user byusing a display apparatus or so-called head mounted display (HMD) thatis worn on the head or face of the user. Configuring the HMD mounted onthe head to block the outside world strengthens a sense of virtualreality that is viewed and listened to.

In addition, the VR technology allows an image obtained by cutting out aportion of a wide-angle image to be presented following a motion of auser's head. For example, as described in PTL 1 below, it is possible toacquire a motion of the head of a user from a gyro sensor or the likeand make a 360-degree omnidirectional video actually felt that followsthe motion of the head of the user. It is possible to achieve the freeviewpoint viewing and the viewpoint moving environment by moving adisplay region in the wide-angle image to cancel the motion of the headdetected by the gyro sensor.

In addition, the use of position tracking technology that recognizes theposition of HMD allows a user moving forward, backward, left, or rightin an actual space to also move forward, backward, left, or right in avirtual space in the same movement amount. The user is thus able toenjoy a more immersive VR experience.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: International Publication No. WO 2016/002318

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Some content presented as a virtual space, however, has content onlywithin a designated range or allows for movement only within a rangedesignated by a wall or the like. When a user moves beyond the wall orthe designated range in such a case, the screen is blacked out or CGthat is not the original content is rendered because there is no contentpresentable to the user. This spoils the world view of the originalcontent inconsistent to degrade a user experience.

Accordingly, the present disclosure proposes an information processingapparatus, information processing method, and recording medium that eachallow a user to recognize a border of a virtual space without breakingthe world view of the virtual space.

Means for Solving the Problems

According to the present disclosure, there is proposed an informationprocessing apparatus including a control unit that tracks a motion of auser to present an image of a virtual space to the user, and performsdistance control to increase a distance between a viewpoint of the userand a border region in the virtual space while an operation of the usercoming closer toward the border region is being inputted. The borderregion is fixed at a specific position in the virtual space.

According to the present disclosure, there is proposed an informationprocessing method including, by a processor: tracking a motion of a userto present an image of a virtual space to the user; and performingdistance control to increase a distance between a viewpoint of the userand a border region in the virtual space while an operation of the usercoming closer toward the border region is being inputted. The borderregion is fixed at a specific position in the virtual space.

According to the present disclosure, there is proposed a recordingmedium having a program recorded therein, the program causing a computerto function as a control unit that tracks a motion of a user to presentan image of a virtual space to the user, and performs distance controlto increase a distance between a viewpoint of the user and a borderregion in the virtual space while an operation of the user coming closertoward the border region is being inputted. The border region is fixedat a specific position in the virtual space.

Effects of the Invention

As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possibleto cause a user to recognize a border of a virtual space withoutbreaking the world view of the virtual space.

It is to be noted that the above-described effects are not necessarilylimitative. Any of the effects indicated in this description or othereffects that may be understood from this description may be exerted inaddition to the above-described effects or in place of theabove-described effects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagram describing an overview of an information processingsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram describing a border of a virtual space.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a movement amountof a user in a real space and a movement amount of the user in a virtualspace.

FIG. 4 is a diagram describing a case where an expression of penetratinga border of the virtual space such as a wall is presented when a usermoves beyond the border.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the movementamount of the user in the real space and the movement amount of the userin the virtual space in an example illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram describing a case where an expression of preventinga viewpoint of a user from advancing beyond the border of the virtualspace such as a wall is presented when the user moves beyond the border.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the movementamount of the user in the real space and the movement amount of the userin the virtual space in an example illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram describing an example of a configuration ofeach apparatus included in the information processing system accordingto the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram describing display control to darken a screen in acase where a user comes closer to a border in a first working example ofthe present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram describing display control to take a border away ina case where a user comes closer to the border in a second workingexample of the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram describing a case where an expression methodillustrated in FIG. 10 is achieved by moving an origin of the virtualspace in a movement input direction of a user.

FIG. 12 is a diagram describing a case where the expression methodillustrated in FIG. 10 is achieved by moving a viewpoint of the user ina direction opposite to the movement input direction of the user.

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating a positional relationship between a userposition in the real space and the user, a wall, and a virtual object inthe virtual space in an example illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a diagram describing display control to take a border away ina case where a user comes closer to a border in a third working exampleof the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating a positional relationship between a userposition in the real space and the user and each object in the virtualspace in an example illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of displaycontrol performed in an operational process of a system according to thepresent embodiment when a user comes closer to a border region.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareconfiguration of an information processing apparatus according to thepresent embodiment.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following describes a preferred embodiment of the present disclosurein detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be notedthat, in this description and the accompanying drawings, components thathave substantially the same functional configuration are indicated bythe same reference signs and redundant description thereof is thusomitted.

In addition, description is given in the following order.

1. Overview of Information Processing System according to Embodiment ofthe Present Disclosure

2. Configuration Example 3. Border Region Display Control 3-1. FirstWorking Example 3-2. Second Working Example 3-3. Third Working Example3-4. Supplemental Information 4. Operational Process 5. HardwareConfiguration Example 6. Conclusion 1. OVERVIEW OF INFORMATIONPROCESSING SYSTEM ACCORDING TO EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1 is a diagram describing an overview of an information processingsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, a system 1 according to the present embodimentincludes a display apparatus 10, a sensor apparatus 20, an informationprocessing apparatus 30, and a content server 40. The display apparatus10 presents an image of a virtual space to a user. The sensor apparatus20 follows a motion of a user. The information processing apparatus 30generates an image of a virtual space and performs display control onthe display apparatus 10 for the image. The image is displayed on thedisplay apparatus 10. The content server 40 stores content informationof a virtual space.

The display apparatus 10 is achieved, for example, as HMD that is wornon the head of a user. The HMD includes, for example, respective imagedisplay units for left and right eyes, and is configured to control thevisual sense and the auditory sense with a headphone. In addition, theHMD is also able to have left and right eyes see different videos and isable to present a 3D image by displaying images having a disparity forthe left and right eyes. In addition, the display apparatus 10 may be adisplay such as a television apparatus, a smartphone, or a tabletterminal that is not worn.

The sensor apparatus 20 is an apparatus that senses a real space torecognize the position and posture of a user. For example, the sensorapparatus 20 includes an imaging unit and a sound pick-up unit.

The information processing apparatus 30 acquires content of a virtualspace from the content server 40. In addition, the informationprocessing apparatus 30 generates a free viewpoint image from thecontent in accordance with a motion of a user and provides the generatedfree viewpoint image to the display apparatus 10. The motion of a userincludes the position and posture of the user. The informationprocessing apparatus 30 follows the position and posture of a user onthe basis of various kinds of sensing data obtained by sensing the user.For example, the information processing apparatus 30 may performposition tracking on the basis of sensing data acquired from the sensorapparatus 20 and perform head tracking and eye tracking on the basis ofsensing data acquired from the display apparatus 10. A technique forcausing the information processing apparatus 30 to perform a trackingprocess is described in the present embodiment, but the presentdisclosure is not limited to this technique. For example, the sensorapparatus 20 may be a follow-up apparatus having a position trackingfunction or the display apparatus 10 may be configured to also serve asa follow-up apparatus that performs the head tracking and the eyetracking.

Content of a virtual space to be provided to a user is omnidirectionalcontent, free viewpoint content, game content, or the like. The freeviewpoint content uses videos captured by a plurality of cameras togenerate a video of a virtual camera placed at any position and allowsthe video to be viewed and listened to from every viewpoint. Forexample, 3D models of persons and objects acquired from a plurality ofcameras are combined and complemented, thereby allowing for viewing fromany viewpoint including an angle having no camera. The content includesrecorded content and real-time content.

The term “virtual space” (or “VR space”) used herein refers to a spacethat may be recognized by an actual user via one or more displayapparatuses. In the virtual space, a user may influence an object in thevirtual space via one or more user interfaces. The virtual space issimulated by one or more processors and may have an interacting ruleincluding the physical law corresponding to the real space. The virtualspace may be regarded as a type of expressions of a virtual workingenvironment replaced with a real environment. The term “user interface”used herein refers to an actual device that allows a user to transmit aninput or receive an output to or from the virtual world. In the virtualspace, a user may be expressed as an avatar. Alternatively, no avatar isdisplayed on a display, but the world of a virtual space may bedisplayed from the viewpoint of an avatar. The viewpoint of a user (oravatar) in a virtual space herein may be regarded as a virtual camera'sfield of view. The “virtual camera” used herein refers to a viewpoint ina virtual space and is used for calculation for rendering athree-dimensional virtual space on a display (display apparatus) as atwo-dimensional image.

The system 1 may further include a remote controller or game controllerfor transmitting an intention of a user to the system.

It is assumed that a user is able to move in a virtual space byperforming the position tracking or using a remote controller. Theposition tracking allows a user moving forward, backward, left, or rightin an actual space to also move forward, backward, left, or right in avirtual space in the movement amount. The user is thus able to enjoy amore immersive VR experience.

BACKGROUND

Here, content to be viewed and listened to by a user is considered tohave a limited display region or allow a user to move within arestricted range. For example, this corresponds to a case where actuallyfilmed free viewpoint content has no data for the outside of the displayregion (the movable region of the free viewpoint content is sometimeslimited to a narrow range in general). In addition, this alsocorresponds to a case where it is not appropriate to get out of a roombecause content is CG content, but relates to the inside of a room.

Such an end of a display region or a termination of a virtual spacefixed at a specific position in the virtual space is referred to as“border region” or simply as “border”. FIG. 2 illustrates a diagramdescribing a border of a virtual space. As illustrated in FIG. 2, avirtual space has a region E1 in which a user is able to move and aregion E2 in which a user is unable to move. The boundary therebetweenserves as a border S. At this time, the position of the user in a realspace is tracked by using the sensor apparatus 20 and the movementamount of the user in the real space is reflected in the movement amountin the virtual space. FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the relationshipbetween the movement amount of a user in a real space and the movementamount of the user in a virtual space. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a userposition in a virtual space is proportional to the movement of a userposition in a real space.

This allows the viewpoint of a user to even move beyond a border of avirtual space such as a wall. There have been two conventionalapproaches as expression methods for a case where a user collides with awall of a virtual space. The first example is an expression method ofhaving the viewpoint of a user penetrate a wall 41 in a virtual space ina case where the viewpoint of the user collides with the wall 41 asillustrated in FIG. 4. In this method, when the user attempts to movebeyond the wall, the viewpoint of the user moves beyond the wall torender the virtual space black or render the virtual space as CGindicating the inside of the wall. The position of the wall 41 orvirtual object 42 does not change in the virtual space. FIG. 5 is agraph illustrating the relationship between the movement amount of theuser in the real space and the movement amount of the user in thevirtual space in the example illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated inFIG. 5, when a user moves through a border such as a wall, the virtualspace is rendered black or rendered as CG and the world ahead the wallis visible. This method does not allow a user to be strongly consciousof the presence of the border. In addition, this method has a problemthat it is not possible to maintain the world view of the originalcontent before the border.

In addition, another expression method is an expression method ofpreventing the viewpoint of a user from advancing beyond the wall 41 inthe virtual space in a case where the user collides with the wall 41 asillustrated in FIG. 6. This method prevents the viewpoint of a user frommoving beyond the wall in a virtual space even if the user is moving ina real space. In addition, the position of the wall 41 or virtual object42 does not change in the virtual space. FIG. 7 is a graph illustratingthe relationship between the movement amount of the user in the realspace and the movement amount of the user in the virtual space in theexample illustrated in FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 6, even if a userarrives at a border such as a wall and the user further keeps on movingin a real space, the displayed position of the user does not change atall from the position of the wall. This method does not feed back themovement of the user after the collision to the user's field of view andmay thus cause the user to recognize that the system is not correctlyworking. In addition, this method offers the same expression as anexpression offered in a case where a user moves out of the trackingrange. It is thus desirable to notify a user of feedback correspondingto the movement amount of the user in a real space while the system iscorrectly working even in a case the user arrives at an end of amovement region in a virtual space.

In this way, the conventional expression method deviates from the worldview of the original content. This thus considerably breaks the worldview and spoils a sense of immersion.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, when a user comes closer to aborder region and almost collided with a border in such restrictedcontent, a specific expression is performed such as increasing thedistance between the viewpoint of the user and the border region in thevirtual space. This allows the user to recognize the border withoutbreaking the world view of the virtual space.

The above has described the information processing system according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure. Next, a specific configurationof each apparatus included in the information processing systemaccording to the present embodiment is described with reference to thedrawings.

2. CONFIGURATION EXAMPLE

FIG. 8 is a block diagram describing an example of a configuration ofeach apparatus included in the information processing system accordingto the present embodiment.

(Display Apparatus 10)

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the display apparatus 10 includes a controlunit 11, a light emitting unit 12, a display unit 13, a speaker 14, asensor unit 15, and a communication unit 16. The display apparatus 10 isworn and used on the head of a user observing, for example, a displayedimage. The display apparatus 10 transmits information sensed by thesensor unit 15 to the information processing apparatus 30 inpredetermined cycles.

The control unit 11 functions as an arithmetic processing device and acontrol device and controls the overall operation of the displayapparatus 10 in accordance with a variety of programs. The control unit11 is achieved, for example, as an electronic circuit such as CPU(Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. In addition, the controlunit 11 may include ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program, anarithmetic parameter, and the like to be used and RAM (Random AccessMemory) that temporarily stores a parameter and the like thatappropriately change.

The light emitting unit 12 includes, for example, one or more LEDlights, an infrared light emitting unit, or the like. The light emittingunit 12 is used to perform outside-in position tracking that recognizesthe position of the display apparatus 10 by using an external camera.

In a case where the display apparatus 10 is configured as HMD, thedisplay unit 13 includes left and right screens respectively fixed atthe left and right eyes of a user and displays an image for the left eyeand an image for the right eye. The screen of the display unit 13includes, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display(LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence)display or a laser scanning display such as a retina direct display. Inaddition, the display unit 13 includes an image forming optical systemthat enlarges and projects a display screen and forms an enlargedvirtual image on a pupil of a user. The enlarged virtual image has apredetermined viewing angle.

In a case where the display apparatus 10 is configured as HMD, thespeaker 14 is configured as a headphone worn on the head of a user andreproduces an audio signal. It is to be noted that the speaker 14 is notlimited to a headphone type, but may be configured as an earphone or abone-conductive speaker.

The sensor unit 15 includes, for example, a motion sensor including acombination of a plurality of sensors such as a gyro sensor, anacceleration sensor, and a geomagnetic sensor. The sensor unit 15 may bea sensor that is able to detect, for example, nine axes in total: atriaxial gyro sensor; triaxial acceleration sensor; and triaxialgeomagnetic sensor. Alternatively, the sensor unit 15 may be at leastany of a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a geomagnetic sensor.Data sensed by the sensor unit 15 is regularly transmitted by thecontrol unit 11 from the communication unit 16 to the informationprocessing apparatus 30 and used to calculate the posture of the head ofa user wearing the display apparatus 10.

In addition, the sensor unit 15 may include a line-of-sight detectionsensor that detects a user's line of sight who is wearing the displayapparatus 10. For example, the line-of-sight detection sensor may be aninward camera such as an infrared sensor (infrared light emitting unitand infrared camera) provided around the display unit 13 positioned infront of the eyes of a user, a myoelectric sensor that senses a motionof the surrounding muscles of the eyes of a user, a brain wave sensor,or the like.

The communication unit 16 is coupled to the information processingapparatus 30 in a wired or wireless manner and transmits and receivesdata. For example, the communication unit 16 establishes communicationcoupling to the information processing apparatus 30 by wired/wirelessLAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth(registered trademark), or the like.

The above has specifically described the configuration of the displayapparatus 10, but the configuration of the display apparatus 10according to the present disclosure is not limited to the exampleillustrated in FIG. 8. For example, in a case where the displayapparatus 10 is configured as HMD, a microphone may be further providedthat acquires a user sound. In addition, in a case where the displayapparatus 10 is configured as HMD, an outward camera may be furtherprovided that is used to perform inside-out position tracking.

(Sensor Apparatus 20)

The sensor apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, an imaging unit 22,a sound pick-up unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The sensorapparatus 20 is an external sensor installed around a user and aplurality of external sensors may be provided.

The control unit 21 functions as an arithmetic processing device and acontrol device and controls the overall operation of the sensorapparatus 20 in accordance with a variety of programs. The control unit21 is achieved, for example, as an electronic circuit such as CPU(Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. In addition, the controlunit 21 may include ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program, anarithmetic parameter, and the like to be used and RAM (Random AccessMemory) that temporarily stores a parameter and the like thatappropriately change.

The imaging unit 22 is a camera that images light of an LED light orinfrared light emitting unit provided to the display apparatus 10 (HMD)worn by a user. Captured images acquired by the imaging unit 22 areregularly transmitted to the information processing apparatus 30 andused to calculate (outside-in position tracking) the position of a userand the user's line of sight. A plurality of the imaging units 22 may beprovided.

The sound pick-up unit 23 picks up a user sound and a surroundingenvironmental sound to output an audio signal to the control unit 21.The control unit 21 may extract a predetermined command by analyzing apicked-up sound and perform control such as powering on/off the sensorapparatus 20. In addition, the picked-up sound may be transmitted to theinformation processing apparatus 30 and subjected to sound analysis inthe information processing apparatus 30 to extract a predeterminedcommand. Alternatively, the picked-up sound may be transmitted to acommunication partner via a virtual space. A plurality of the soundpick-up units 23 may be provided.

The communication unit 24 is coupled to the information processingapparatus 30 in a wired or wireless manner and transmits and receivesdata. For example, the communication unit 24 establishes communicationcoupling to the information processing apparatus 30 by wired/wirelessLAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth(registered trademark), or the like.

The above has specifically described the configuration of the sensorapparatus 20, but the configuration of the sensor apparatus 20 accordingto the present disclosure is not limited to the example illustrated inFIG. 8. For example, the sensor apparatus 20 does not have to includethe sound pick-up unit 23, but may include a plurality of devices.

(Information Processing Apparatus 30)

The information processing apparatus 30 includes a control unit 31, acommunication unit 32, and a storage unit 33. The information processingapparatus 30 has a rendering process function of generating an image ofa virtual space to be outputted to the display apparatus 10. Inaddition, in a case where the display apparatus 10 is configured as HMD,the information processing apparatus 30 performs a rendering process ofchanging an image of a virtual space viewed by a user wearing thedisplay apparatus 10 in accordance with the position and posture of theuser.

The control unit 31 functions as an arithmetic processing device and acontrol device and controls the overall operation of the informationprocessing apparatus 30 in accordance with a variety of programs. Thecontrol unit 31 is achieved, for example, as an electronic circuit suchas CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. In addition, thecontrol unit 31 may include ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores aprogram, an arithmetic parameter, and the like to be used and RAM(Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores a parameter and the likethat appropriately change.

In addition, the control unit 31 also functions as a tracking section311 and a rendering process section 312. The tracking section 311 mayperform tracking related to a motion of a user such as following (headtracking) the head of the user, following (eye tracking) the user's lineof sight, and following (position tracking) the position or posture ofthe user.

For example, the tracking section 311 is able to perform so-called headtracking of calculating posture information of a portion such as thehead of a user to which the display apparatus 10 is attached on thebasis of a detection result of the nine axes detected by the sensor unit15 of the display apparatus 10.

In addition, the tracking section 311 is able to perform so-called eyetracking of calculating a user's line of sight (line-of-sight directionand gaze point) on the basis of captured images (e.g., infrared imagesobtained by emitting infrared rays to the eyes and imaging thereflection) of the eyes of the user detected by the sensor unit 15 ofthe display apparatus 10.

In addition, in a case where the display apparatus 10 is configured asHMD, the tracking section 311 is able to perform so-called positiontracking of detecting the position and posture of a user wearing thedisplay apparatus 10. The position tracking includes outside-in positiontracking that uses a sensor installed outside, inside-out positiontracking that uses a sensor mounted on an object (HMD) desired to bemeasured, and hybrid position tracking that is a combination thereof.

In the outside-in position tracking, for example, the positions of aplurality of LED lights (markers) provided to HMD are imaged andacquired by a camera (sensor apparatus 20) installed outside. Theposition and the posture are calculated on the basis of a change in theacquired positional information of the LED lights. It is to be notedthat the tracking section 311 is also able to calculate a user postureincluding the posture of the head of a user on the basis of a change inthe positional information of the LED lights and data of a motion sensorprovided to the HMD.

In the inside-out position tracking, the position and posture of a userare calculated on the basis of information acquired by a motion sensor,depth sensor, and outward camera provided to HMD. For example, it ispossible to acquire the positional information of a user by imaging theoutside world by using an outward camera provided to HMD and comparingthe imaged outside world and a space map generated in advance by theSLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology. Alternatively,it is possible to calculate the posture of a user along with informationof a motion sensor or a depth sensor. In this case, no external sensoris necessary and the sensor apparatus 20 does not thus have to beinstalled.

The rendering process section 312 generates a free viewpoint image of avirtual space that corresponds to a motion (position and posture) of auser on the basis of a tracking result of the tracking section 311 andtransmits the generated free viewpoint image from the communication unit32 to the display apparatus 10. This causes the free viewpoint image ofthe virtual space to be presented to the user. The free viewpoint imagechanges in real time, following the position movement of the user, thedirection or inclination of the face, or the like. The user is thus ableto freely move and look around in every direction in the virtual space.

In addition, in a case where a user comes closer to a border region in avirtual space, the rendering process section 312 according to thepresent embodiment causes the user to recognize the border of thevirtual space without breaking the world view of the virtual space underpredetermined display control in which distance control is reflectedsuch as increasing the distance between the viewpoint of the user andthe border region in the virtual space. The details of the predetermineddisplay control performed in a case where a user comes closer to aborder of a virtual space are described below with reference to FIG. 9to FIG. 15.

The communication unit 32 is coupled to the display apparatus 10 and thesensor apparatus 20 in a wired or wireless manner to transmit andreceive data. For example, the communication unit 32 establishescommunication coupling to the display apparatus 10 and the sensorapparatus 20 by wired/wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi(registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

In addition, the storage unit 33 is achieved as ROM (Read Only Memory)that stores a program, an arithmetic parameter, and the like to be usedfor the processes of the control unit 31 and RAM (Random Access Memory)that temporarily stores a parameter and the like that appropriatelychange. In addition, the storage unit 33 may accumulate content of avirtual space acquired from the content server 40 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The above has specifically described the configuration of theinformation processing apparatus 30, but the configuration of theinformation processing apparatus 30 according to the present disclosureis not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 8. For example, theinformation processing apparatus 30 may be integrated with the displayapparatus 10 or include the sensor apparatus 20. Alternatively, theinformation processing apparatus 30 may include a plurality of devices.For example, the tracking process may be performed by a differentapparatus. Specifically, the sensor apparatus 20 may perform theposition tracking or the display apparatus 10 may perform the headtracking, the eye tracking, and the position tracking.

In addition, the information processing apparatus 30 may include aserver provided in a network or include a dedicated terminal disposed inthe same space as the space of a user. Alternatively, the informationprocessing apparatus 30 may include a smartphone, a tablet terminal, PC,or the like.

The above has specifically described the configuration of the system 1according to the present embodiment. It is to be noted that theconfiguration of the system 1 illustrated in FIG. 8 is an example, butthe present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the sensorapparatus 20 does not have to be included.

3. BORDER REGION DISPLAY CONTROL

Next, border region display control according to the present embodimentis specifically described with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 15.

<3-1. First Working Example>

FIG. 9 is a diagram describing display control to darken the screen in acase where a user comes closer to a border in a first working example.As illustrated in FIG. 9, in a case where a user comes closer to thewall 41 that is a border region in a virtual space, the informationprocessing apparatus 30 applies an effect of darkening or blurring thescreen to make the originally visible screen difficult to view (lowerthe visual recognizability). This allows the user to naturally recognizethat the direction in which the user comes closer is a termination ofthe virtual space and is a direction in which the user should notadvance. It is to be noted that “coming closer to a border (or the wall41 that is an example of a border region)” herein means that the borderand a user position (user viewpoint) in the virtual space falls within acertain distance.

It is to be noted that the effect of darkening the screen does not haveto be uniformly applied to the screen, but may be applied as appropriatein accordance with the distance from the wall 41. That is, the screenmay be darkened more with a decrease in the distance from the wall 41and the screen may be blacked out in the end. In addition, the effect ofdarkening the screen is not uniformly applied in accordance with theposition of a user, but may be applied by taking into consideration thedirection of the user and the advancing direction. For example, theeffect of darkening the screen is not applied in a case were thedirection of the face of a user is opposite to a border in spite of thepresence of the user near the border. Alternatively, in a case where thedirection of the face of a user is parallel to a border, the effect maybe more strongly applied to the user's field of view closer to theborder and the effect may be prevented from being applied to thefarthest side from the border. In addition, in a case where a user facesa border, the effect is applied to the user's entire field of view. Inaddition, in a case where a user is moving, it may be dynamicallychanged in accordance with the distance or direction of the user to aborder to what degree the effect may be applied. In a case where a usergoes a certain distance away from a border, the effect is not appliedwhichever direction the user faces.

The first working example described above may be combined with theconventional expression method described with reference to FIG. 6. Thatis, in a case where a user keeps on moving toward a border even afterbeing blocked by the border, the position of the user in the virtualspace does not change, but the effect may be presented of darkening thescreen in accordance with the moving speed of the user. This allows thesystem to provide the user with feedback indicating that the systemunderstands the movement of the user.

<3-2. Second Working Example>

FIG. 10 is a diagram describing display control to take a border away ina case where a user comes closer to the border in a second workingexample. For example, in a case where a user comes closer to the wall 41that is a border and comes within a certain distance as illustrated onthe left in FIG. 10, the information processing apparatus 30 performsdisplay control to take the wall 41 away from the user or increase thedistance between the viewpoint of the user and the border region asillustrated in the middle of FIG. 10.

As long as the user moves toward the border, this display controlcontinues. Even if the user further moves toward the wall 41, the wall41 is taken further away as illustrated on the right in FIG. 10. Theuser is not thus able to pass through the wall 41. In this way, takingthe wall 41 away to prevent the user from coming closer to the wall 41even if the user comes closer allows the user to recognize that the wall41 is a border of the virtual space, but not the direction in which theuser should advance without spoiling the world view of the virtualspace.

It is to be noted that the wall 41 serving as a border and the virtualobject 42 are considered to have fixed relative positions from theorigin in the virtual world. The information processing apparatus 30 isthus able to achieve the expression method (display control to take thewall 41 away) illustrated in FIG. 10 by moving the entire virtual spacein the same direction as a movement input direction that is thedirection in which a user comes closer to the wall 41 in accordance withthe movement input direction of the user, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 11.

Alternatively, it is also possible to achieve the expression method(display control to take the wall 41 away) illustrated in FIG. 10 withthe relative positions of the wall 41 serving as a border and thevirtual object 42 from the origin fixed in the virtual world by movingthe viewpoint of a user in the direction opposite to a movement inputdirection that is the direction in which the user comes closer to thewall 41 as illustrated in FIG. 12.

In addition, the information processing apparatus 30 applies a bounceeffect while performing the distance control to increase the distancebetween the user and the wall 41. This more effectively allows a user torecognize a border of a virtual space when the user comes closer to thewall 41. As the bounce effect, the information processing apparatus 30repeats lengthening and shortening the relative distance between theviewpoint of the user and the wall 41. That is, the informationprocessing apparatus 30 does not change the movement amount (movementamount of the viewpoint of a user) of a free viewpoint image of avirtual space that is displayed in the user's field of view to make themovement amount proportional to the actual movement amount of the userin the real space, but changes the movement amount to cause the movementamount to have a specific curve as illustrated in FIG. 13. This displaycontrol allows the information processing apparatus 30 to take the wall41 away while keeping feedback indicating that the user is moving. As aspecific example, for example, a case is described where a user comescloser to a border at constant speed with reference to FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating the positional relationship between auser position in the real space and the user, a wall, and a virtualobject in the virtual space in the present working example. Asillustrated in FIG. 13, for example, in a case where a user comes closerto the wall 41 that is a border at constant speed, the position of thewall 41 or virtual object 42 is not changed at first. This causes it tolook like the position (viewpoint) of the user moves in the virtualspace at the same speed as the actual movement amount. The position ofthe wall 41 is then temporarily taken away from the user (e.g., theviewpoint of the user is moved a little in the virtual space in thedirection opposite to that of the actual motion) when the position ofthe user comes a certain distance closer to the border. In a case wherethe user further keeps on moving in the actual space in the borderdirection at constant speed, the information processing apparatus 30repeats a motion of taking the position of the wall 41 away from theuser in the user's field of view and a motion of bringing the positionof the wall 41 closer to the user in the user's field of view (bounceeffect). At this time, the wall 41 and the virtual object 42 each have afixed relative distance from the origin in the virtual space and thusthe position of another object such as the virtual object 42 is alsomoved as with the wall 41. In addition, the motion of taking the borderaway may be sufficiently short (fast) as compared with the motion ofbringing the border closer. In addition, the bounce effect of the bordermay be stopped at the same time that the user stops. Alternatively, aphysical action of an elastic object in the real space may be reproducedby continuing the bounce effect for a predetermined time after the userstops and then returning the wall 41 to the original state (originalposition). In this case, whatever action the user makes, the wall 41 isrestored over time to the state before the bounce effect is applied.

This causes the user to feel as if the repulsive force worked to preventthe user from coming closer to a border when the user comes closer tothe border. Conversely, in a case where the user goes away from theborder, the movement amount in the virtual space is made the same as theactual movement amount. This allows the system to cause the user torecognize a border of the virtual space and present only content withinthe range to the user without spoiling the world view while providingthe user feedback indicating that the system correctly recognizes themovement of the user. It is to be noted that the information processingapparatus 30 may present (strongly) the bounce effect according to thepresent working example from a greater distance as the user approachesthe wall 41 (border) at higher speed. In addition, the informationprocessing apparatus 30 may change it in accordance with the speed ofapproaching the wall 41 to what degree the bounce effect is applied(e.g., depth of bouncing or the like). In addition, the informationprocessing apparatus 30 may change the degree of bouncing in accordancewith a wall material of the wall 41.

<3-3. Third Working Example>

FIG. 14 is a diagram describing display control to take a border away ina case where a user comes closer to the border in a third workingexample. For example, in a case where a user comes closer to the wall 41that is a border and comes within a certain distance as illustrated onthe left in FIG. 14, the information processing apparatus 30 performsdisplay control to add an effect of transforming the space whileperforming the distance control to take the wall 41 away from the useror increase the distance between the viewpoint of the user and theborder region as illustrated in the middle of FIG. 14. As long as theuser moves toward the border, this display control continues. Even ifthe user further moves toward the wall 41, the wall 41 is taken furtheraway as illustrated on the right in FIG. 14. The user is not thus ableto pass through the wall 41. This display control to take the wall 41away is similar to that of the second working example. In the workingexample, however, when a user comes closer to the wall 41, the effect oftransforming the space is given. This makes it possible to present onlycontent within the range while providing the user with movementfeedback.

For example, the information processing apparatus 30 may apply an effectof expanding and shrinking the space such as extending and absorbing(undoing) the portion around the wall 41. As a user's field of view,display control is repeated to take the wall 41 away while horizontallyextending the screen for an instant and then undoing the screen when theuser comes closer to the wall 41. This prevents the user from passingthrough the wall 41 even if the user keeps on moving to the wall 41. Itis to be noted that, in a case where there is another object such as thevirtual object 42 in a nearby area, the object may be transformed aswith the wall 41. Alternatively, if a virtual object is eye-catchingsuch as a person, a character, a message, or UI, the virtual object maymaintain the original aspect ratio with no transformation.

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating the positional relationship between auser position in the real space and the user, a wall, and a virtualobject in the virtual space in the present working example. Asillustrated in FIG. 15, for example, in a case where a user is comingcloser to the wall 41 at constant speed, the information processingapparatus 30 does not change the position of the wall 41 or virtualobject 42 at first. This causes it to look like the position (viewpoint)of the user moves in the virtual space at the same speed as the actualmovement amount. The information processing apparatus 30 thentemporarily takes the position of the wall 41 away from the user whenthe position of the user comes a certain distance closer to the border.In a case where the user keeps on moving in the actual space in theborder direction at constant speed, the information processing apparatus30 repeats a motion of taking the position of the wall 41 away from theuser in the user's field of view and a motion of bringing the positionof the wall 41 closer to the user in the user's field of view (as in thesecond working example). In this case, in the present working example,the information processing apparatus 30 applies an effect of temporarilytransforming the space such as extending and undoing the wall 41. Inaddition, the wall 41 and the virtual object 42 are each considered tohave a fixed relative distance from the origin in the virtual space.Accordingly, the information processing apparatus 30 takes the wall 41away and also moves the position of the virtual object 42 as illustratedin FIG. 15.

<3-4. Supplemental Information>

The above has described the first to third working examples, and theymay be combined as appropriate. For example, when a user comes closer tothe wall 41, the screen may be darkened a little to be difficult to viewwhile the motion of taking the wall 41 away from the user and the motionof bringing the wall 41 closer to the user may be repeated. In addition,in the present embodiment, the wall 41 is used as an expression of aborder of a virtual space, but the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. Another virtual object, for example, a forest, a beach, acliff, a building, a fence, or the like may be used.

In addition, in the above-described first to third working examples, theexample is used in which a user actually moves in a real space chieflyby the position tracking, but the present embodiment is not limitedthereto. It is also possible to apply a similar expression in a casewhere a user uses a remote controller to move in a virtual space. Inaddition, the actual movement amount of movement by the positiontracking sometimes corresponds to the movement amount in the virtualspace at a certain ratio. For example, it is assumed that, when a usermoves 30 cm in the real world, the user may accordingly move twice asmuch or 60 cm in the virtual space. Even in this case, it is possible tosimilarly apply the effects according to the above-described first tothird working examples that are multiplied by certain magnification.

In addition, the information processing apparatus 30 may output someeffect sounds (such as a collision sound) or vibration when a user comescloser to a border. In addition, the information processing apparatus 30may present a 3D audio collision sound indicating which side of the usercollides. This allows the user to recognize collision, for example, evenin a case where a blind portion of the user such as the back collideswith the wall 41 or the like. In addition, the information processingapparatus 30 may present the effect sound corresponding to bouncingwithout making the collision sound when a user slowly comes closer tothe wall (border).

In addition, as a specific service to which the present embodiment isapplied, a game is first conceivable such as RPG (Role Playing Game) inwhich the virtual space is moved by a controller or the positiontracking. Such a game uses a wall or the like in many cases to limit therange within which a user is able to move. The user has to move whilebeing constantly conscious of the border. The present embodiment,however, makes it possible to make the user conscious of the borderwithout presenting a video of the outside of the border (withoutspoiling the world view).

In addition, the present embodiment may be applied to content such aswatching sports, walking in the city, or viewing the property by usingan actually filmed free viewpoint image. These pieces of content do nothave videos actually captured for the outside of borders and it is notthus possible in principle to create the videos. If those portions arerendered as CG, a sense of reality or the world view is spoiled.Applying the present embodiment, however, makes it possible to avoidsuch a situation. Alternatively, the present embodiment is applicable toa game or content that a user enjoys in the amusement facility or thelike with a VR headset on because it is necessary to warn the user thatthe user approaches a border. Especially the effect according to thefirst embodiment is appropriate.

The present embodiment is not limited to a border, but is alsoapplicable to a motion of invading the respective personal spaces of auser and another user in a case where the other user is displayed forcommunication in a virtual space as an avatar. In this case, forexample, when a user A comes too close to a user B (invades apredetermined surrounding range of the user B), the user A is reboundedby the user B and is able to move in the virtual space only in a smallermovement amount than the actual movement amount. This allows comfortablecommunication to be enjoyed by keeping each personal space withoutcausing contradicting expressions in the space.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the technique has beendescribed for causing a user to recognize a border in a virtual space,but this may be applied to AR (Augmented Reality). Specifically, theinformation processing apparatus 30 may perform display control to causea user to recognize an obstacle or a dangerous direction in a realspace. For example, when a user almost collided with a real object (in acase where a user comes closer to a real object), a specific effect maybe explicitly expressed or the dangerous direction may be displayed andpresented as AR. As an apparatus component that provides this ARdisplay, a variety of terminals (mobile terminals) may be used asappropriate such as optical see-through HMD and a smartphone that isable to perform video see-through AR display.

4. OPERATIONAL PROCESS

Next, an operational process of the information processing systemaccording to the present embodiment is specifically described withreference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example ofthe flow of display control performed in the operational process of thesystem according to the present embodiment when a user comes closer to aborder region.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, when a user first comes closer within acertain distance to a border (wall) (step S103), the informationprocessing apparatus 30 presents an effect to the user (step S106). Theeffect includes the video effects according to the above-described firstto third working examples. More specifically, the effect is darkening,blurring, bouncing, space transforming, or the like. The case has beendescribed as an example where the position (viewpoint) of a user in avirtual space comes closer within a certain distance from a border totrigger the effect, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto.For example, a user is moving toward a border. In this case, the effectmay be presented in a case where it is possible to predict that the userarrives at the border within a certain time if the user is moving at thecurrent speed or in a case where the user comes closer to the border atspeed greater than or equal to a predetermined value. In contrast, thereis sometimes a region inside the border such as a door or a passage thatallows a user to normally move. It is also possible to refrain fromapplying the effect in a case where the user comes closer to thatregion.

Next, in a case where the user stops moving toward the wall (border)(e.g., in a case where the user stops, changes the direction, or moves apredetermined distance away from the wall) (step S109/Yes), theinformation processing apparatus 30 finishes presenting the effect (stepS112). That is, the information processing apparatus 30 stops thecontrol to increase the distance between the user and the wall, forexample.

In contrast, in a case where the user does not stop moving toward thewall (border) (step S109/No), the information processing apparatus 30continues presenting the effect (step S115).

The above has described the example of the operational process accordingto the present embodiment. It is to be noted that the operationalprocess illustrated in FIG. 16 is an example. The present disclosure isnot limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 16. For example, thepresent disclosure is not limited to the order of steps illustrated inFIG. 16. At least any of the steps may be processed in parallel orprocessed in the reverse order. In addition, not all the processesillustrated in FIG. 16 necessarily have to be executed. Not all theprocesses illustrated in FIG. 16 necessarily have to be performed by asingle apparatus.

For example, a process of presenting an effect as appropriate inaccordance with the movement of a user may be performed such aspresenting the effect according to the second or third working examplein a case where the user approaches within a certain distance to aborder and adding the effect according to the first working example in acase where the user further approaches the border.

5. HARDWARE CONFIGURATION EXAMPLE

Finally, a hardware configuration of the information processingapparatus according to the present embodiment is described withreference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an exampleof a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 30according to the present embodiment. It is to be noted that aninformation processing apparatus 800 illustrated in FIG. 17 may achievethe information processing apparatus 30 illustrated in FIG. 8, forexample. Information processing by the information processing apparatus30 according to the present embodiment is achieved in cooperationbetween software and hardware described below.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the information processing apparatus 800includes, for example, CPU 871, ROM 872, RAM 873, a host bus 874, abridge 875, an external bus 876, an interface 877, an input device 878,an output device 879, a storage 880, a drive 881, a coupling port 882,and a communication device 883. It is to be noted that the hardwareconfiguration illustrated here is an example and a portion of thecomponents may be omitted. In addition, a component other than thecomponents illustrated here may be further included.

(CPU 871)

The CPU 871 functions, for example, as an arithmetic processing deviceor a control device and controls the overall operation of each componentor a portion thereof on the basis of a variety of programs recorded inthe ROM 872, the RAM 873, the storage 880, or a removable recordingmedium 901.

Specifically, the CPU 871 achieves the operation of the control unit 31in the information processing apparatus 30.

(ROM 872 and RAM 873)

The ROM 872 is means for storing a program to be read by the CPU 871,data to be used for calculation, or the like. The RAM 873 temporarily orpermanently stores, for example, a program to be read by the CPU 871, avariety of parameters appropriately changing in executing the program,or the like.

(Host Bus 874, Bridge 875, External Bus 876, and Interface 877)

The CPU 871, the ROM 872, and the RAM 873 are coupled to each other, forexample, via the host bus 874 that is able to transmit data at highspeed. Meanwhile, the host bus 874 is coupled to the external bus 876having a relatively low data transmission rate, for example, via thebridge 875. In addition, the external bus 876 is coupled to a variety ofcomponents via the interface 877.

(Input Device 878)

For example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, alever, and the like are used for the input device 878. Further, as theinput device 878, a remote controller (referred to as remote controlbelow) is sometimes used that is able to transmit a control signal byusing infrared rays or other radio waves. In addition, the input device878 includes an audio input device such as a microphone.

(Output Device 879)

The output device 879 is a device that is able to visually or aurallynotify a user of acquired information. Examples of the device include adisplay device such as CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), LCD, or organic EL, anaudio output device such as a speaker or a headphone, a printer, amobile phone, a facsimile, or the like. In addition, the output device879 according to the present disclosure includes a variety of vibrationdevices that are able to output tactile stimulation.

(Storage 880)

The storage 880 is a device for storing various kinds of data. As thestorage 880, for example, a magnetic storage device such as a hard diskdrive (HDD), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device,a magneto-optical storage device, or the like is used.

(Drive 881)

The drive 881 is, for example, a device that reads out informationrecorded in the removable recording medium 901 such as a magnetic disk,an optical disc, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory orwrites information to the removable recording medium 901.

(Removable Recording Medium 901)

The removable recording medium 901 includes, for example, a DVD medium,a Blu-ray (registered trademark) medium, an HD DVD medium, a variety ofsemiconductor storage media, and the like. Needless to say, theremovable recording medium 901 may be, for example, an IC card, anelectronic device, or the like each of which is mounted with acontactless IC chip.

(Coupling Port 882)

The coupling port 882 is, for example, a port such as a USB (UniversalSerial Bus) port, an IEEE 1394 port, SCSI (Small Computer SystemInterface), an RS-232C port, or an optical audio terminal for couplingan external coupling apparatus 902.

(External Coupling Apparatus 902)

The external coupling apparatus 902 is, for example, a printer, aportable music player, a digital camera, a digital video camera, an ICrecorder, or the like. Alternatively, the external coupling apparatus902 may include the display apparatus 10 and sensor apparatus 20illustrated in FIG. 8.

(Communication Device 883)

The communication device 883 is a communication device for coupling to anetwork. For example, the communication device 883 is a communicationcard for wired or wireless LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth(registered trademark), or WUSB (Wireless USB), a router for opticalcommunication, a router for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), amodem for various kinds of communication, or the like. The communicationdevice 883 may couple the display apparatus 10 and sensor apparatus 20illustrated in FIG. 8.

6. CONCLUSION

As described above, the information processing system according to theembodiment of the present disclosure allows a user to recognize a borderof a virtual space without breaking the world view of a virtual space.

Specifically, according to the present embodiment, in a case where auser in a virtual space attempts to move outside a border of the virtualspace, an expression such as darkening or blurring the screen makes theuser conscious of the presence of the border to deter the user frommaking an action of going beyond the border.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, even in a case where auser attempts to move beyond a border, it is possible to cause the userto recognize the presence of the border without breaking the world viewby hiding a video of the outside of the border while causing the user torecognize that the system receives a motion of the user by making theuser bound at the border or extending and undoing the space.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, applying a similareffect to a collision in a system in which an avatar of another user isdisplayed allows comfortable communication to be performed whilemaintaining the distance that each user wishes to keep.

Although the above has described the preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure in detail with reference to the attached drawings, thepresent technology is not limited to such examples. It is apparent thata person having ordinary skill in the art of the present disclosure mayarrive at various alterations and modifications within the scope of thetechnical idea described in the appended claims and it is understoodthat such alterations and modifications naturally fall within thetechnical scope of the present disclosure.

For example, it is also possible to create a computer program forcausing hardware such as CPUs, ROMs, and RAMs built in theabove-described display apparatus 10, sensor apparatus 20, andinformation processing apparatus 30 to exhibit the functions of thedisplay apparatus 10, sensor apparatus 20, and information processingapparatus 30. In addition, there is also provided a computer-readablestorage medium in which the computer program is stored.

In addition, the effects described herein are merely illustrative andexemplary, but not limitative. That is, the technology according to thepresent disclosure may exert other effects that are apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the description herein in addition to theabove-described effects or in place of the above-described effects.

It is to be noted that the present technology is also able to adopt thefollowing configurations.

(1)

An information processing apparatus including

a control unit that

-   -   tracks a motion of a user to present an image of a virtual space        to the user, and    -   performs distance control to increase a distance between a        viewpoint of the user and a border region in the virtual space        while an operation of the user coming closer toward the border        region is being inputted, the border region being fixed at a        specific position in the virtual space.        (2)

The information processing apparatus according to (1), in which thecontrol unit stops the control to increase the distance in a case whereinputting the operation of coming closer toward the border region isfinished.

(3)

The information processing apparatus according to (1) or (2), in whichthe control unit starts the control to increase the distance in a casewhere the viewpoint of the user comes within a certain distance from theborder region.

(4)

The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3),in which, while performing the distance control, the control unit adds abounce effect to generate the image.

(5)

The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3),in which, while performing the distance control, the control unit adds aspace transforming effect to generate the image.

(6)

The information processing apparatus according to (4) or (5), in whichthe control unit increases the distance between the viewpoint of theuser and the border region in the distance control by moving an originin the virtual space in a same direction as a movement direction of theuser.

(7)

The information processing apparatus according to (4) or (5), in whichthe control unit increases the distance between the viewpoint of theuser and the border region by moving the viewpoint of the user in adirection opposite to a movement direction of the user.

(8)

The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7),in which the control unit adds an effect of lowering visualrecognizability to generate the image in a case where the viewpoint ofthe user comes within a certain distance from the border region.

(9)

The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8),in which

the control unit

-   -   recognizes a position and a posture of the user as the motion of        the user, and    -   generates a free viewpoint image as the image of the virtual        space, the free viewpoint image being based on the position and        the posture of the user.        (10)

An information processing method including, by a processor:

tracking a motion of a user to present an image of a virtual space tothe user; and

performing distance control to increase a distance between a viewpointof the user and a border region in the virtual space while an operationof the user coming closer toward the border region is being inputted,the border region being fixed at a specific position in the virtualspace.

(11)

A recording medium having a program recorded therein, the programcausing a computer to function as

a control unit that

-   -   tracks a motion of a user to present an image of a virtual space        to the user, and    -   performs distance control to increase a distance between a        viewpoint of the user and a border region in the virtual space        while an operation of the user coming closer toward the border        region is being inputted, the border region being fixed at a        specific position in the virtual space.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1 system    -   10 display apparatus    -   11 control unit    -   12 light emitting unit    -   13 display unit    -   14 speaker    -   15 sensor unit    -   16 communication unit    -   20 sensor apparatus    -   21 control unit    -   22 imaging unit    -   23 sound pick-up unit    -   24 communication unit    -   30 information processing apparatus    -   31 control unit    -   311 tracking section    -   312 rendering process section    -   32 communication unit    -   33 storage unit    -   40 content server    -   41 wall    -   42 virtual object

1. An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit thattracks a motion of a user to present an image of a virtual space to theuser, and performs distance control to increase a distance between aviewpoint of the user and a border region in the virtual space while anoperation of the user coming closer toward the border region is beinginputted, the border region being fixed at a specific position in thevirtual space.
 2. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the control unit stops the control to increase thedistance in a case where inputting the operation of coming closer towardthe border region is finished.
 3. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts the control toincrease the distance in a case where the viewpoint of the user comeswithin a certain distance from the border region.
 4. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, while performing thedistance control, the control unit adds a bounce effect to generate theimage.
 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein, while performing the distance control, the control unit adds aspace transforming effect to generate the image.
 6. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unitincreases the distance between the viewpoint of the user and the borderregion in the distance control by moving an origin in the virtual spacein a same direction as a movement direction of the user.
 7. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein thecontrol unit increases the distance between the viewpoint of the userand the border region by moving the viewpoint of the user in a directionopposite to a movement direction of the user.
 8. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit addsan effect of lowering visual recognizability to generate the image in acase where the viewpoint of the user comes within a certain distancefrom the border region.
 9. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the control unit recognizes a position anda posture of the user as the motion of the user, and generates a freeviewpoint image as the image of the virtual space, the free viewpointimage being based on the position and the posture of the user.
 10. Aninformation processing method comprising, by a processor: tracking amotion of a user to present an image of a virtual space to the user; andperforming distance control to increase a distance between a viewpointof the user and a border region in the virtual space while an operationof the user coming closer toward the border region is being inputted,the border region being fixed at a specific position in the virtualspace.
 11. A recording medium having a program recorded therein, theprogram causing a computer to function as a control unit that tracks amotion of a user to present an image of a virtual space to the user, andperforms distance control to increase a distance between a viewpoint ofthe user and a border region in the virtual space while an operation ofthe user coming closer toward the border region is being inputted, theborder region being fixed at a specific position in the virtual space.